Sharing your data with StatsNZ – it’s your choice

You are being asked to decide if some of your Growing Up in New Zealand data can be securely shared with Statistics New Zealand (StatsNZ) for use in a large research database called the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI).

This is completely optional, and what you decide will not affect your participation in any part of the study going forward.  

Both the caregiver and the young person in the study will need to make a decision about sharing their data.

Below is some information to help you understand what’s involved, what gets shared, how your data is protected, and what it means if you say yes - or no!

About the IDI

Discover how your Growing Up in New Zealand data is kept safe, how it’s already making a difference, and how sharing it can help create even more impact.

About the IDI

The StatsNZ Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) is a large research database. It holds de-identified data about people and households. The data is about life events, including education, income, benefits, migration, justice, and health. It comes from government agencies, StatsNZ surveys, and non-government organisations (NGOs). The data is linked together, or integrated, to form the IDI. Researchers use the IDI to conduct research that provides insight into our society and economy. The research can help answer questions about complex issues that affect New Zealanders.

Watch this video to learn more about the IDI

1. Safe people – Researchers commit to making sure that they will be responsible when using data
2. Safe projects – Researchers must focus on finding insights and solutions to issues that are likely to have a wide public benefit. 
3. Safe settings – Data can only be accessed through a secure virtual environment from approved research facilities, and the IDI is on a separate server that is not connected to the internet
4. Safe data – Data that is available to researchers is de-identified, and they can only access the data they need.
5. Safe output – all information is checked to ensure it does not contain any identifying details.

Frequently asked questions

What am I being asked to decide?

• There are two parts to this decision. The primary caregiver is being asked whether they’d like to share a copy of their study data and data about their household. Both the primary caregiver and the young person are being asked if they agree to share a copy of the young person’s data.

Do both the young person and caregiver have to agree?

• If the primary caregiver agrees, their study data and data about the household will be shared.  The young person’s study data will only be shared if both the primary caregiver and the young person agree. This is because the study has always been a partnership between young people and their families.
  

What is the IDI, and why does it matter?

• The Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) is a secure database run by StatsNZ. It brings together information from different government services, such as health and education. Using the data together helps researchers understand big-picture issues that affect people in Aotearoa New Zealand, including young people and families.
  

Why would you want to share your Growing Up in New Zealand data?

• Your experiences are vitally important. By linking your Growing Up in New Zealand data with other information already in the IDI, researchers can explore deeper questions about health, development, and wellbeing. It helps ensure children, young people, and whānau are represented in research that shapes future policies.
  

How long is the questionnaire?

• Depending on what you decide, there will be one yes/no question for the young person and four yes/no questions for the primary caregiver to answer. Whether you decide ‘yeah’ or ‘nah’, it is important to complete the questionnaire.
  

How long do I have to decide?

• You have until the 30^th September 2025 to decide.
  

What kind of data would be shared?

• The data shared would include information you have given from the antenatal stage through to the 15-year interview. It may cover topics such as health, housing, relationships, community involvement, sleep, food, and more. StatsNZ will also receive your date of birth and National Health Index (NHI) number (which will be de-identified so no one knows it belongs to you) so they can link your data to other datasets safely.
  

What won’t be shared with StatsNZ?

• No names, contact details, addresses, DNA or biological samples, audio recordings, or personal comments from open-ended questions will be shared with StatsNZ. Any information shared is de-identified and kept confidential.
  

What happens to the data once it’s shared?

• The Growing Up team will securely transfer the data to StatsNZ, where it will be de-identified and stored safely. Only approved researchers working on projects in the public interest can apply to use the data, and they must follow strict rules, including accessing only what is necessary to answer their research questions in secure, controlled environments.
  

Who decides what the data can be used for?

• StatsNZ is responsible for reviewing and approving research projects. They ensure each project is for the public good, follows ethical guidelines, and uses data safely. The Growing Up in New Zealand team doesn’t make these decisions, but researchers may consult them for advice.
  

Can we change our minds later?

• Once your data is shared with StatsNZ and added to the IDI, it can’t be withdrawn because it’s been de-identified and linked with other datasets. But you will be asked again if you'd like to share data in the future, so you’ll have a choice each time whether you want to share new data with the study.
  

What if we choose not to share the data?

• That’s completely okay. You’ll still be part of the Growing Up in New Zealand study, and your data will continue to be stored securely at the University of Auckland. It will still be used for research that supports better outcomes for children, young people, and families in Aotearoa.
  

We’re living overseas now — does this still apply to us?

• Yes. If you give permission, your data will still be shared with StatsNZ. It can still help build a fuller picture of what life is like for children and families, no matter where they are now.